73 times 77 is 5621, but what is the answer if both 73 and 77 are negative numbers? Here we will determine if the answer to negative 73 times negative 77 is positive 5621 or negative 5621.
There are many different ways to explain and determine if the answer to negative 73 times negative 77 is -5621 or +5621 using mathematical terms such as additive inverse and mathematical laws like the Distribute Law.
We will take a different approach - process of elimination: We will simply test if -5621 is the correct answer using basic algebra.
We will test if -5621 is correct by setting up the equation negative 73 times negative 77 equals negative 5621, and then simplifying the equation to see if it is true.
(-73) (-77) = (-5621)
Divide both sides of the equation by (-77) :
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| = |
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The numerator and denominator on the left side both have (-77) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-73) = |
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The numerator and denominator on the right side both have a minus sign (-) which even each other out and can be removed:
| (-73) = |
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A numerator of 5621 and denominator of 77 on the right side is the same as 5621 divided by 77 which is 73. Now we end up with this untrue equation:
(-73) = (73)
-73 is NOT equal to 73, thus we have proven that negative 73 times negative 77 is not equal to -5621. The answer must therefore be 5621:
-73 x -77 = 5621
The above applies to all math problems where you multiply two negative numbers. Multiplying two negative numbers such as negative 73 times negative 77 will always have a positive answer.
Negative Times Negative Calculator
Here you can multiply another two negative numbers together.
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